FIA approves British GP switch to new Pirelli F1 tires

Formula 1 will use Pirelli’s modified rear tires from the British Grand Prix onwards after the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the change following a successful trial at the Red Bull Ring.

The minutes from the meeting read: “The World Council approved the introduction of a new construction of rear tire for the remainder of the 2021 season.”

All drivers tested two sets of the prototype tires featuring a modified rear construction during free practice for last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The front tires and the compounds used on both axles remain unchanged, but the modified rear construction features higher cornering stiffness at high loads, and a higher vertical stiffness.

Pirelli has not confirmed the starting pressure minimums for next weekend’s British Grand Prix, but did say in Austria that the expectation is it would be 2psi lower than what would have been set for the previous specification of rear tires.

The decision to introduce the new tires is a result of the failures suffered by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin in June’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The new tires are more robust and therefore safer.